Slayer and Iron Maiden Classics Make Top Metal Songs of All Time Countdown

03/16/2011.

Gibson continues their countdown of the Top 50 Metal Songs of All time today with their picks for No. 30 to 21. Here are a couple of highlights:

29. "Raining Blood," Slayer: What's more metal than a song about trying to overthrow heaven? The grand finale of Slayer's 1986 classic Reign in Blood, "Raining Blood" matches the violence of its lyrics with an ugly sonic assault. It also includes one of the best-ever metal riffs, with co-writers/guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King harmonizing on that piercing 10-note attack. Then, drummer Dave Lombardo really kicks things into gear, and Slayer leaves behind nothing but a path of destruction. No wonder it's still Hanneman and King's favorite song to play live. – Bryan Wawzenek

22. "Run to the Hills," Iron Maiden: Prior to "Run to the Hills," metal fans probably wouldn't have expected the U.S./Native American conflicts to be such a fertile foundation for a metal classic. But the violence, anger and sadness of that portion of history make for brilliant subject matter for this galloping Iron Maiden track. The lead single of 1982's The Number of the Beast, "Run" was the song that introduced the vocal acrobatics of new lead singer Bruce Dickinson. A new era in metal had begun. – Bryan Wawzenek